need advice

[vmfranco]

I have a daughter that is a great catcher too - we went through the same thing - we were told that they needed her at ss more than they did behind the plate...then we switched teams - and belong to a great team that already has two catchers - so...they taught my kid to play 3rd base - we dumped the catching lessons - she simply helps warm up pitchers when she can - and maybe one day will get some pool play in - we trust these coaches to do what is best for our daughter so we are sitting back and enjoying it - the big picture is that when and if - (after all, shes only 10) she is approached by a college scout - she is a true utility player - she can play 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ss, and outfield - AND she can catch! and these coaches are making sure that she can do all these things...besides, its sooo exciting when we see her gear up to go in at catcher - because its not something that we see often - so we like it that way - it keeps it fun! she is concentrating on hitting right now - i do agree, if your kid can hit, they will find somewhere for her to play! if your coach doesnt mind, maybe you can go pick up now and then for teams that need a catcher - just to keep her on her toes...
again, your situation sounds EXACTLY like ours - and we , like you, have found a team with a phenominal coaching staff that we trust her life with - but my advice...if you like the team as much as we like ours...sit back and let them do the work - you enjoy watching your kid learn! after all, they are sponges...they absorb it all!

[ECSB]

If she wants to catch, stick with the catching lessons. There will come the day when one of the other catchers can't be there, or unfortunately gets injured. Your kid will be able to step in, and sometimes, the other kid doesn't get the position back. Remember, you may get to high school and there may be no catcher - your kid may be it. I agree with the others. My kid has played every infield position except catcher - and that has been a real plus in travel and high school. She doesn't care where she plays - as long as she is on the field.

[Sam]

What is up with the catchers' parents? If your kid is the #3 catcher....she isn't a catcher...she is a position player that can catch if you need her. She is not a player who takes catching lessons to get better at a position she might get to play one game per year. You might as well send her to pitching lessons.

Can the lessons, save your money....put it in a savings account for her college...and work with her to improve at the position the coach asks her to play.

Whatever you do, Don't Force the Catching Thing With the Coach. He will eventually invite you join a team that needs a #3 catcher to start games for them.

[Lefty's Dad]

What is up with the catchers' parents? If your kid is the #3 catcher....she isn't a catcher...she is a position player that can catch if you need her. She is not a player who takes catching lessons to get better at a position she might get to play one game per year. You might as well send her to pitching lessons.

Can the lessons, save your money....put it in a savings account for her college...and work with her to improve at the position the coach asks her to play.

Whatever you do, Don't Force the Catching Thing With the Coach. He will eventually invite you join a team that needs a #3 catcher to start games for them.

Ths is such sound advice! Stop throwing away money. My DD has been a catcher ever since she started playing 3 years ago (14 now, I know, I know, she is catching up though ). She joined her current team as an outfielder knowing that she is the #2 catcher. The #1 catcher is just better and DD plays CF very well, she knows this, has embraced it and the pride shows in her OF play. DD has been a #2 and #3 catcher on a VERY good local travel team and she has also been the ONLY catcher on a decent travel team. She loves being behind the plate BUT she also LOVES playing in CF. I know everyone has heard this before but as these girls get older they are not sent to the OF to be hidden, they HAVE to be able to do their job and are expected to make circus catches when the game is on the line. DD knows that her pitchers love that she is out there patrolling CF and she has saved them a few times from being grilled by the coaches after a game. Mine will not get the chance to play many infield spots because as you may be able to tell from my "name" she is a natural lefty but if yours can play multiple positions then she will be ahead of the game. Please don't EVER confront the coach about wanting more playing time, it is not worth the headache YOU will get, trust me on this Good luck with whatever you end up doing.

[Sam]

My DD was on a team last year with 2 catchers, but was needed at first base. Taking the year off, especially after she grew 3 inches has really saved her knees. This year she is back catching and after dusting off the rust she is right back in the grove of catching.

Don't stop the lessons if your DD really wants to catch. Tell her as I told my DD that the team needs you to be the best first baseman or your case outfielder. When the time comes for her to catch, she will be ready if she keep working her skills.

Wanting to catch and being good at it are two entirely different things.....

[pafan]

What about the opposite problem? My daughter is a good catcher (can block balls and is quick behind the plate), but she only plays catcher. In fact, she is the #1 catcher on the team. But when she is not catching, she sits. Occasionally she plays outfield for a couple of innings, but mostly it's catching or sitting and being an occasional DH. The pitchers (including the daughter of one of the coaches) love her to catch for them, but this same coach's daughter also plays third when she's not pitching, so 3rd is out. My daughter is anxious to learn and play other positions so she's not a 1-position player, but it does not look like she's really going to get a chance to on this team.

Does she stay on this team, be the #1 catcher (which she loves), and resign herself to sitting and stagnating?

Or do we look elsewhere (realizing that the grass will not necessarily be greener elsewhere)?

[ddsdad]

What is up with the catchers' parents? If your kid is the #3 catcher....she isn't a catcher...she is a position player that can catch if you need her. She is not a player who takes catching lessons to get better at a position she might get to play one game per year. You might as well send her to pitching lessons.

Can the lessons, save your money....put it in a savings account for her college...and work with her to improve at the position the coach asks her to play.

Whatever you do, Don't Force the Catching Thing With the Coach. He will eventually invite you join a team that needs a #3 catcher to start games for them.

Ths is such sound advice! Stop throwing away money. My DD has been a catcher ever since she started playing 3 years ago (14 now, I know, I know, she is catching up though ). She joined her current team as an outfielder knowing that she is the #2 catcher. The #1 catcher is just better and DD plays CF very well, she knows this, has embraced it and the pride shows in her OF play. DD has been a #2 and #3 catcher on a VERY good local travel team and she has also been the ONLY catcher on a decent travel team. She loves being behind the plate BUT she also LOVES playing in CF. I know everyone has heard this before but as these girls get older they are not sent to the OF to be hidden, they HAVE to be able to do their job and are expected to make circus catches when the game is on the line. DD knows that her pitchers love that she is out there patrolling CF and she has saved them a few times from being grilled by the coaches after a game. Mine will not get the chance to play many infield spots because as you may be able to tell from my "name" she is a natural lefty but if yours can play multiple positions then she will be ahead of the game. Please don't EVER confront the coach about wanting more playing time, it is not worth the headache YOU will get, trust me on this Good luck with whatever you end up doing.

Does the same rule apply to pitching? If you are a number 3 pitcher are you really not a pitcher and should stop throwing money away at lessons? What are your thoughts?

[wadeintothem]

As an umpire I have to say, keep up with the lessons! Two years from now, when every other catcher is off taking the SAT's or off doing something else (it is always a sad day for an umpire when the catcher says "our regular catcher is taking her SAT's, I havent caught since rec league"), your DD will get her 1 start. At least you've kept up the lessons and she has some level of skills; and I'd say that is more than worth your money.

[Sam]

ddsdad,

#3 pitchers pitch every 3rd game.

[ddsdad]

Sam, how many pitchers do you think a team should carry? If your number 1 and number 2 are on, should the number 3 even get a shot?